CLIMATE-INDUCED SOIL DEGRADATION AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL: EVALUATING CLIMATE-SMART SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN PAKISTAN’S SEMI-ARID AGROECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

This study examined the impact of climate variability on soil degradation and evaluated the carbon sequestration potential of climate-smart soil management practices in Pakistan’s semi-arid agroecosystems. A quantitative, field-based research design was employed, involving soil sampling and survey data collected from 150 agricultural sites and associated farmers using a stratified random sampling technique. Key soil indicators, including soil organic carbon (SOC), were analyzed alongside management practices and climatic variables. Statistical techniques such as correlation, regression, and mediation analysis were applied to test the proposed relationships. The results indicated that climate variability significantly increases soil degradation, which in turn reduces SOC levels and carbon sequestration potential. Climate-smart soil management practices were found to significantly mitigate soil degradation and enhance carbon storage. Additionally, these practices played a mediating role by reducing the negative impact of climate variability on carbon sequestration. The study contributes to the understanding of soil–climate interactions and highlights the importance of sustainable land management in improving soil health and mitigating climate change. The findings provide practical insights for promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices in semi-arid regions. However, limitations related to the cross-sectional design and regional scope suggest the need for further longitudinal and large-scale studies.